Comments on: Keeping Track

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:07:18 +0000

Betty, the thing that concerns me about sites like that are how secure are THEY?

Great idea to put it on your calendar, Paula. That's worked well for me, too. In fact, I have a note here to call someone back whom I didn't remember contacting in the first place. Luckily, I made a note in the "appointment" on when she was contacted and why. Amen, because I'd forgotten to put her on my master contact list.

Wade, exactly the point. We're in business. We have to act like it and do the mundane stuff we don't like. :)

I'm aspiring to be like that, Jake. No queries, just clients coming to me begging for my mad skilz. LOL

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:42:29 +0000

Me organized? Trust me, it's just an illusion.

Sometimes I feel I'm too reliant on my lists and notes to myself. Then again, I've been known to write detailed grocery lists only to carry them around the store without reading them until I'm ready to check out. I usually remember 90% of the items, but invariably forget the key ingredients to whatever I'm planning for dinner that night.

By: Jake P

Jake P — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:49:05 +0000

I query so infrequently that I know the status of everything, haha. I do keep a stockpile of past submissions, however, so your idea of revisiting them is a solid one.

Have a great weekend!

By: Wade Finnegan

Wade Finnegan — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:37:03 +0000

Wow Paula, you are very organized. What I'm internalizing from Lori and the comments, is that you need to treat freelance writing like an actual business. (Duh) Real businesses track everything, so why shouldn't I? Finding ways to keep the details together is vital for a successful freelance writing business.

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:56:02 +0000

I track my submissions and mean to follow up, but if I don't note it on my infamous lists, I will forget.

I have a multi-page, hand-written list (surprise!) where I log my daily submissions - queries, LOIs, invoices, inquires, even requests for editorial calendars. Yesterday, for instance, I noted two things: 1) I sent in an article, and 2) I sent the invoice for that article and the previous one I submitted to the same editor.

When I hear back from queries or LOIs, I make a note right on the list stating when I heard back and what the answer was (sometimes as simple as + or - to indicate a positive or negative response).

To improve my follow-through, I'm starting to track submissions on my calendar, too. When I send a query, I'll flip ahead a couple weeks and remind myself to follow-up on that query or LOI if I haven't heard back yet. That's how I landed one of the articles I'm working on now.

I need paper lists and calendars, because they're physical reminders. I'd never remember to open and look at lists or calendars if they were electronic.

Tracking submissions is good. Being consistent at following up on them is better. I intend to become more consistent.

By: Betty

Betty — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:41:55 +0000

Passwords: Check out 1Password
https://agilebits.com/products/1Password/
I don't know how I ever survived without it. It provides a secure way to create, save, and automatically fill in user names and passwords right in my web browser. I use different passwords for everything now, and only have to remember my one master password.

Also provides a secure place to store other bits of info like social security numbers, insurance numbers, etc–and syncs to my iPhone so I can access that stuff anywhere (like at Urgent Care, when I had to bring my son for x-rays).

I'm not affiliated with the company, just a very happy user.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:44:21 +0000

Damaria, it's one we learn with a palm slap to the forehead, isn't it? 🙂

By: Damaria Senne

Damaria Senne — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:52:11 +0000

I don't track my submissions. Like you, I thought because I saved them, I'd get back to them sooner or later. Another lesson learnt.